Thumbs Up! April 20, 2015

One day last year, the guest speaker for a regular lunchtime meeting of the he Dougherty County Rotary Club was Larry Walters, superintendent of the Lee County School System. The subject arose regarding the “tons” of surplus educational supplies and equipment living in warehouses. A seed was planted that day and it grew into the idea of shipping some of the surplus to a country that has little to nothing available for education of its young people. Liberia was the country chosen and club member Jennifer Vanston made a trip to the war-torn African country to arrange delivery of the donated goods. After the first shipment was sent, Worth County Middle School , along with Scholastic Books, filled a second container with unused books, which was shipped earlier this month. English is the national language in Liberia, a perfect match. With rare exception, once items such as tables, chairs, books, shelving and such are declared surplus, they never return to the classroom. The students in Liberia, the ones who are able to attend school, often have no furniture or even basic school supplies such as paper, books and pencils. What a great way to teach the “3 Rs” … repurpose, recycle, reuse.

The men and boys from Albany who spent most of their weekend at Kolomoki Mounds in Blakely will have returned home, hopefully a bit wiser. The Gamma Omicron Lambda Chapter of the local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity conducted its 31st retreat for middle school boys. Emphasis during the retreat was on teen pregnancy prevention. Guest speakers provided frank and accurate information regarding the social, economic and personal consequences that come with fathering a child, epecially as a tennager. The boys on the retreat were encouraged to practice abstinence first but contraception and safe sex were also addressed. Sponsors, chaperones, speakers and the parent(s) that allow for this boys only time are to be highly commended.

On March 21, the 2015 Albany Pink Walk was held. On Tuesday the proceeds from the event were presented to the Phoebe Foundation for the Albany Pink Crisis Fund and the MaryLynn Mason Endowment Fund. All the money raised will be used for the direct benefit of breast cancer patients at Phoebe Cancer Center. Albany Pink believes that no cancer sufferer should have to choose between rent and pain medication, miss a treatment because of transportation issues or lodging costs and aims to remove those obstacles to recovery. BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars donated $5,000 representing $100 for every car sold in March. Sam’s Club provided refreshments at the walk as well as $3,000. Pfizer also donated $3,000. More than 800 people participated in the walk and just how much money was raised? An astounding amount of more than $60,000 will help ease the pain and anxiety, inability to work or whatever other consequences may accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. Thank you, one and all.

Eight finalists for the Dougherty County School System Teacher of the Year were announced toward the end of February. Since that time, those teachers have been interviewed and observed in a diligent effort to narrow the eight to just one. On Thursday night the suspense came to an end with the announcement that Sherrie Hubbard, a social studies teacher at Radium Springs Middle School, will serve as the system’s Teacher of the Year for the next 12 months. To be in the final eight is a remarkable achievement and a well-deserved recognition for work done well. Congratulations to all of the finalists and to you, Sherrie Hubbard, a big “Thumbs up”!